US: Sow Lameness Symposium – advancement in causes, implications and prevention

This three-day event featured discussions on leading swine industry topics covering lameness prevalence, risk factors, anatomy and pathology, sow fertility and longevity, economics and possible solutions. More than 125 swine industry experts were in attendance at this global event, which followed a successful event in 2008 – the world’s first sow lameness symposium.

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“Lameness is a critical animal welfare issue with significant economic implications for sow herds around the world,” said Dr. Terry Ward, Director of Research and Nutritional Services for Zinpro Corporation. “This symposium is designed to bring together international experts and industry representatives to share information and advance our collective understanding of this important topic.”

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The symposium officially kicked off on Aug. 31 with a keynote address by Dr. Roger Campbell, CEO of the Pork Cooperative Research Centre in Australia. During the meeting activities, hands-on clinics were held focusing on lesion pathology, reproduction, economics/Feet First calculator and osteochondrosis. In addition, a series of presentations and discussions were held, including:

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·©© Swine Lameness – Past, Present and Future, by Dr. John Deen, University of Minnesota

·©© Selection of Gilts – Biomechanics, by Dr. Ken Stalder, Iowa State University

·©© The Pathogenesis of Osteochondrosis, by Dr. Cathy Carlson, University of Minnesota

·©© Lameness, Pain and Behavior, by Dr. Anna Johnson, Iowa State University

·©© Sow Claw Lesion Pathology, by Dr. Jerry Torrison, University of Minnesota

·©© Pen Gestation (Loose Housing Systems): Lessons from Europe, by Dr. Marrina Schuttert, Veterinair Centrum Someren, Netherlands and Dr. Christof Rapp, Zinpro Animal Nutrition (Europe)

·©© Practical Understanding of Claw Lesions and How They Impact Lameness, by Dr. Sarel van Amstel, University of Tennessee

·©© Effects of Lameness on Sow Reproduction: Nutritional Implications, by Dr. Mark Wilson, Zinpro Corp.

·©© Producer Perspectives On How They Manage Lameness In Their Herds, featuring an international panel of producers (United States, Canada and Mexico)

·©© Mineral Supplementation in Modern Pork Production Systems For Optimum Health and Efficiency – The Need For Renewed Focus, by Dr. Rob van Barneveld, Barneveld Nutrition Pty, LTD.

·©© A Passion for Solutions: Products, Lameness Assessment Tools and Education from Zinpro, by Dr. Terry Ward, Zinpro Corp.

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Zinpro’s flagship swine product AvailaSow, from Zinpro Performance Minerals, contains a unique combination of zinc, manganese and copper specifically formulated to help optimize the foot health and reproductive performance of sows.

The Feet First
Launched four years ago and spearheaded by Zinpro, the Feet First team is composed of a select group of international researchers, veterinarians and nutritionists committed to further advance the swine industry through the identification and prevention of lameness. Zinpro and the Feet First team hosted the world’s first Sow Lameness Symposium in Minneapolis in April 2008.

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